A fifty thousand dollar microchip, surgically implanted by a German black market surgeon, irritated his vocal chords, but gave his voice a perfect baritone pitch.
His identity, flimsy and tenuous, cost him three million dollars.
Much of it spent on street and government contacts who could never surface again, it would buy him a week, maybe two.
Sitting in a small reception area outside the office of Captain Mark Reasons, a new crew of security officers for the Supreme Court Building sat waiting for their assignments.
The five men and one woman talked sports and politics, but primarily discussed the confirmation hearings going on in another building less than a hundred yards away. Andre took it all in.
“If you ask me, the guy’s just a super nut case,” said Bill Hardy, a lean wiry guard with pointy ears and bald head. “How stupid can you be to try and kill a Supreme Court nominee?”
“He can’t be that stupid,” said Judith Staten, a big boned blonde who reminded Andre of women back home. “If you ask me, he’s pretty clever. He managed to get by a full secret service detail and Robert Veil.”
Andre’s ears burned.
“Robert Veil?” Andre asked.
“Yeah,” Judith continued. “My brother humped with him in Iraq during Desert Storm. Use to be a Company man. Real black bag stuff.
Now he works on his own.”
“If he’s that good, why is he on his own?” asked Andre, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
“Don’t know,” said Judith. “My brother lost track of him after the war.”
“Well he can’t be that good,” Bill smirked. “That maniac got close enough at the hotel to kill her.”
Andre smiled.
“Thomas Flagg,” called the receptionist.
Andre stood.
“Captain Reasons will see you now.”
He walked, shoulders back, chin up, across the plain, well-trodden carpet and, upon entering, took a mental snapshot of Captain Reasons’ office. Large but plain, the only noticeable items were a picture of his wife and two daughters and a photograph of the Captain shaking hands with Ronald Reagan.
They shook hands and Andre sat down in front of the square shouldered black man’s government issue gray metal desk. Captain Reason’s picked up a file folder Andre recognized marked Personneclass="underline" Classified Information.
“Thomas Flagg. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.”
“Cleveland Browns country,” Andre added, for effect.
“I see you transferred in from the Federal Building in Los Angeles and spent some time in Oklahoma City.”
“Yes sir. Oklahoma City was my first assignment out of training. I moved to L.A. just before the bombing.” Andre let his voice quiver slightly.
“I understand, son,” said the Captain, sympathetic and sincere.
“Thank you sir. I’m glad they buried him,” Andre lied. He considered Timothy McVeigh a hero.
Captain Reasons continued to thumb through the file. “I was considering you for assignment on the main floor, near the Justice’s chambers.”
Andre forced down the urge to smile. “Thank you sir, that would be an honor.”
Captain Reasons stroked his chin. “But I noticed you have extensive experience in electronic surveillance, so I’m putting you in the watchroom at the monitor’s desk in the basement. We can’t let experience like yours go to waste.”
Andre forced a smile. “Thank you sir. I’ll do my best.”
33
Edward watched the 60” inch plasma television imbedded in his conference room wall, eager for the morning proceedings to start.
“You can’t really believe this is putting pressure on Veil,” said Vernon.
Edward spun around and faced his three minions. “Never underestimate the heart, Vernon. I have it on good authority, no thanks to you, that she’s something very special to him. And I know for a fact he’s feeling the pressure.” He leaned forward. “What I don’t know is why Robert Veil and his partner have spent so much time at cemeteries,” he said, playing dumb. “Who can fill me in?”
“Obviously that’s where the evidence is hidden,” said Marilyn. “In one of the crypts.”
Edward brightened. “Please tell me you know which tomb it’s in.” Nobody spoke. Edward let them stew in the silence.
Simon cleared his throat. “We haven’t a clue as of yet.”
“We’ve gone through the files at Parklawn, and several of the cemetery offices they’ve visited,” added Marilyn. “So far, nothing stands out.”
Edward leaned back in his chair. “What about the names of his parents?”
“Negative,” answered Vernon. “No such luck.”
“Then we’ll have to make Veil tell us,” said Edward.
“That is, if he knows,” said Simon. “What if he doesn’t?”
“It doesn’t matter at this point,” said Edward. “We’re going to kill them anyway, whether they give up the evidence or not.” The three of them looked curiously at each other.
“Is there something I’m missing?” he asked.
Neither of them spoke.
“I said, is there something I’m missing?” Simon cleared his throat again. “There does seem to be a small problem, Edward. You see, we’ve been following Mr. Veil and his partner closely… and we were wondering if you’ve hired another team to kill them.”
Edward didn’t answer.
“Yes,” said Marilyn. “There were reports two shootings took place a couple of nights ago. One at Parklawn, and the other at the Congressional Cemetery. Simon trailed Thorne, and I followed Veil with several of Vernon’s men, to Parklawn.”
“Yes,” Vernon chimed. “Then a group of Middle Eastern men, followed Veil into the mausoleum. My guys heard machinegun fire a few minutes later somewhere in the woods.” Edward calmly drummed his fingers, trying to decide how much to tell. “There is a team, a hit squad, after them,” he finally said. “I didn’t hire them. My partners brought them in. It couldn’t be helped.”
“Couldn’t be helped!” Vernon barked. “Dammit, you should have warned us!”
“Yes,”added Marilyn. “ We could have gotten killed.”
“It wasn’t necessary that you know,” said Edward, stoic and cold.
“My partners are not patient men, and they wanted this taken care of immediately. As far as getting killed is concerned,” he continued, looking over at Marilyn. “It’s part of the job.”
“You know what’ll happen if a Middle East death squad is caught here in Washington,” said Vernon. “All hell will break loose and they’ll dime us out. We can’t trust them and you know it.”
“It’s not about trust, it’s about money,” said Edward. “Where the hell do you think your millions are coming from, the tooth fairy?”
“We understand that, but how many more people are involved?” asked Marilyn.
Edward sprung to his feet, and slammed his fists down on the table.
“If you’d find the evidence we wouldn’t have to worry, now would we?”
“So where do we go from here?” Simon asked, unmoved by the outburst.
Edward stroked his chin. “Where’s Veil now?”
“My men are due to check in within the hour,” said Marilyn. “We’ll know then.”
“Well, wherever they are, pick them up and take them to my ranch in Virginia. It’s quiet there and the servants are off for the week. You can question them without interruption, but I don’t want them killed there.
Do that somewhere else after you finish.”
“Why not just kill them and get it over with?” asked Marilyn.
“I want the evidence if I can get it. So give it a chance before you end them.”
Vernon and Marilyn nodded their understanding. Simon turned his attention to the television. “They’re about to get started,” he said, pointing to the screen.
Senator Stuart Hall sat down and glared at the judge. The other six members of the committee included Eileen Sassin from California, Oliver Franklin from Pennsylvania, Nicholas Alexander from Massachusetts, Carmen Udesco from Hawaii, Lawrence Echols from Georgia, and Ramona Arnold from Arkansas.
Hall guaranteed at least three of them would play ball and trash Judge Patrick completely. Hall asked Edward why he wanted her eliminated, but a hundred grand shut him up.